This ​conference ​focuses on sarcoidosis and the recent advances in our knowledge with an aim to reduce the disparities in disease severity and advancing our management through personalized care and increased detection. The conference also aims to foster collaborative work between basic, translational and clinical researchers and physicians.

Patient education classes are an important part of your experience at National Jewish Health. The classes will give you and your family the information and tools to manage your disease.

Plan to attend classes during your evaluation at National Jewish Health. The patient education classes are free for patients and family members.

Patient Education classes meet in the Patient Education Room A01b. The classroom is located in the basement across the hall from the main elevator.

Managing Your Energy Everyday
(Adult class)
(3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.)
This is a class to help people with lung disease be more productive and more satisfied with daily living. Everyday tasks including self-care, household chores, hobbies, and work can be made easier. Energy management, proper breathing and simplifying work can help.

Tools for Fitness
(Adult class)
(2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
This class will review the exercise prescription. The benefits of aerobic exercises and how to overcome obstacles that may affect your exercise program will also be discussed.

Pediatric Asthma and Exercise
(Pediatric class)
(1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.)
If your child is school age and has asthma you may find this class helpful. The class will cover the benefits of exercise, plus safe and appropriate exercise programs. Discussions will include how asthma and asthma medications may affect sports.

Tuesday

All About Sleep Apnea
(Adult class)
(4:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.)

This is a class for people with sleep apnea. The class will review the pathopysiology and symptoms of sleep apnea, as well as problems if left untreated. Treatment options, emphasizing CPAP therapy and tips/tricks for CPAP success will be discussed.

Stress Management and Relaxation
(Adult class)
(11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
You will learn to identify how muscle tension and mental stress disrupt the breathing process. You will learn various techniques to assist in the relaxation process. These include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization skills, and the therapeutic use of hobbies.

What Makes Asthma Worse?
(Adult class)
(12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.)
What is happening in the lungs with asthma? What makes asthma worse? These questions will be discussed in this class. Irritants, allergens, infections, weather changes, exercise and gastroesophageal reflux will be discussed.

What Makes Asthma Worse?
(Pediatric class)
(12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
What is happening in the lungs with asthma? What makes asthma worse? These questions will be discussed in this class. Irritants, allergens, infections, weather changes, exercise and gastroesophageal reflux will be discussed.

Living with Chronic Disease
(Adult class)
(3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.)
This class will discuss common feelings and issues when diagnosed with a chronic disease including lifestyle changes, emotional effects, self identity changes, & other psychosocial changes. This class will provide resources for living with a chronic disease and help manage this stage of life.

Wednesday

Learning About Osteoporosis
(Adult class)
(11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
What should you know if you have osteoporosis? Learn what risk factors are and how to manage osteoporosis with diet, exercise and medication.

On the Go With Oxygen
(Adult class)
(10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.)
The benefits of oxygen therapy for people with chronic lung disease will be reviewed. Current oxygen equipment to enhance your quality of life, including traveling with oxygen will also be discussed.

Learning About Atopic Dermatitis
(Adult class)
(3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Learn about the importance of “Soak and Seal” in this class. Avoidance of things that make atopic dermatitis worse, daily skin care and managing worsening symptoms will be discussed.

Learning About Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
(Pediatric class)
(3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Learn about the importance of “Soak and Seal” in this class. Avoidance of things that make atopic dermatitis worse, daily skin care and managing worsening symptoms will be discussed.

Thursday

Respiratory Medications
(Adult class)
(2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Correct medication technique is important. Techniques to inhale medication correctly will be discussed and demonstrated in this class. Respiratory medications and common side effects will be reviewed.

Antibiotics for Mycobacterial and Other Lung Diseases
(Adult class)
(11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
There are a variety of antibiotics that are used to treat mycobacterial disease. These medications and common side-effects will be discussed in this class.

Asthma Medications and Self Management
(Adult class)
(9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
Correct medication technique is important. Asthma medications, side effects and correct techniques will be discussed. Monitoring asthma by assessing symptoms and using a peak flow meter with an Asthma Action Plan will also be discussed.

Asthma Medications and Self Management
(Pediatric class)
(9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
Correct medication technique is important. Asthma medications, side effects and correct techniques will be discussed. Monitoring asthma by assessing symptoms and using a peak flow meter with an Asthma Action Plan will also be discussed.

Friday

Intimacy and the Person with Lung Disease
(Adult class)
(10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.)
This class describes human sexuality and the normal response to a sexual stimulus. Normal changes related to aging and problems related to chronic disease and respiratory conditions will be reviewed. Strategies to improve intimacy and sexual functioning will be discussed.

Tools for Giving-Up Smoking - Trying Again
(Adult class)
(12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Second Friday every month))
If you're just thinking about giving up smoking or ready to set a quit date, this class is for you. This is an informative class that follows along with the Understanding Giving Up Smoking booklet. It will provide you with helpful, practical tools as you prepare to give up smoking.

Diabetes Basics
(Adult class)
(1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.)
This class will address how you can take control of caring for diabetes. The interactive nature of the class will leave you feeling confident to recognize and treat low blood sugar, what foods have carbohydrates, and what causes your blood sugar to increase and decrease, as well as understand how diabetes medicines work.

Giving Up Smoking - Trying Again
(Pediatric class)
(12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m (2nd Friday every month))
If you’re just thinking about giving up smoking or ready to set a quit date, this class is for you. This is an informative class that will provide you with helpful practical tools as you prepare.

Stress Management and Relaxation
( class)
(11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
You will learn to identify how muscle tension and mental stress disrupt the breathing process. You will learn various techniques to assist in the relaxation process. These include diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization skills, and the therapeutic use of hobbies.

Molly Blank Conference Center, National Jewish Health Main Campus
This event is free.

Diabetes Support Group
( class)
(1st and 3rd Friday of every month, 3-4pm)

The Diabetes Support Group is meant for patients and families with diabetes and prediabetes. You can talk with others who have diabetes and discover useful ways for succeed in taking care of your own diabetes.

Joe Walsh Memorial Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group
( class)
( Second Tuesday of every month at 1pm in Molly Blank, Room J105)

The Joe Walsh Memorial Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group at National Jewish Health provides a safe, secure environment for patients with any type of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and their family members, care providers and significant others.

Molly Blank Conference Center, National Jewish Health Main Campus
This event is free.

Lung Cancer Support Group
( class)
(3rd Thursdays of every month, 3-4pm.)

Lung cancer patients and survivors and their caregivers and family members are invited to attend. The meetings will include a 30-minute educational presentation (a different topic each meeting), followed by open discussion of any topic. The group is open to people who have received treatment at National Jewish Health and elsewhere.

For more information, contact:
Bronwyn Long, RN, DNP, MBA at 303.270.2392 or send an email at longb@njhealth.org.

National Jewish Health Cafeteria, Room L-111
This event is free.

Mile-High Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group
( class)
(Last Tuesday of every month, 2-3:30pm February - November.)

The Mile-High Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group in Wheat Ridge, CO is dedicated to improving understanding of ILD & PF through education, emotional support and counseling for the patient, caregivers & significant others. It is important for the patient and family to stay informed about treatment options, exercise, diet, oxygen and clinical trials.